Will WBPX (Channel 68) remove their old analog antenna on the Prudential Tower anytime soon? Wouldn't the old antenna be a liability requiring insurance even if is not being used? It was installed by a helicopter back in the 1970s and would probably require the same method of transport to remove it. It really took several significant lightning strikes during last week's storm.
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Ch. 68 Antenna on Prudential
- Thread starter wcozBoston
- Start date
wcozBoston said:
I saw one of them from directly across the river on Memorial Drive, Cambridge by MIT. A direct hit to the old 68 antenna.
In answer to your question, more than likely the old Channel 68 stick will not be removed. From what I've been told, if the old Channel 68 antenna were to be removed and not replaced with a new antenna, the owners of the tower automatically lose that air space which is currently protected up to the beacon on the top of the 68 stick. Since 9/11, air space in and around Logan Airport is rigidly controlled (with good reason). It is currently grandfathered with the FAA. If the old Channel 68 antenna were to be removed (and not replaced), the clearance that the area (where the 68 antenna is) would be rescinded unless a special waiver were to be made. Airspace and tower space are at a premium now. 9/11 changed everything. Even if the 68 antenna laid dormant for years, it is structurally stable. It is a part of the buildings' structure. It now is a placeholder for the next tenant.
The Pru gets lightning strikes quite often and thanks to a good ground system, those lightning suppression units do the job well.
The Pru gets lightning strikes quite often and thanks to a good ground system, those lightning suppression units do the job well.
L
Laurence Glavin
Guest
Peter Q. George (K1XRB) said:
How about the channel 62 antenna at One Beacon street?
Laurence Glavin said:
More than likely, it's probably the same issue. It's a "use it or lose it" proposition. Even though WMFP-TV (digital) is now at "FM-128" in Newton, the old Channel 62 (now dormant analog) antenna at One Beacon adds to the building's overall height above the ground. It is probably a "placeholder" of sorts for the next tenant, and to keep the FAA happy.
When I worked for TV62, it was really easy to check the tower lights.
All you had to do was walk a few feet out the door onto the roof, and
look up. I was also quite fond of bring the ham VHF-UHF radio up there.
You could do really well with 1/2 watt on top of a 36 story building!
All you had to do was walk a few feet out the door onto the roof, and
look up. I was also quite fond of bring the ham VHF-UHF radio up there.
You could do really well with 1/2 watt on top of a 36 story building!
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